an aussie expat in denver

America: Please Be Better

I know this is uncharacteristic of me (being in any way political, or controversial), but I decided I wanted to say something about yesterday’s senseless murders in California.

When tragic incidents of mass gun violence occur in the U.S., I frequently come across a level of smugness on social media from Australians – some I know, others I don’t – who seem to enjoy pulling the moral superiority card when it comes to gun control.

This country has its flaws, but so does Australia, and England, and every other nation in the world. If there was one that was flawless, we’d all be refugees lining up for entry.

I know that this country has a long and complicated history of firearm ownership. Even though I don’t profess to understand the nuances of it the Constitutional amendments and policy-making, what I do know is pretty clear.

I love the United States. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have spent weeks upon weeks, and countless dollars, traveling throughout the U.S. over six years, or actively sought to migrate here and start a new chapter of my life.

That’s what it comes down to for me. I love this country, and I want it to be better. As far as I can tell, so does everyone on either side of the gun control and immigration battles. So if stemming the flow of senseless killing every year makes the U.S. a better place, why the hell not take some sort of action? Maybe Australia’s version of gun control isn’t the perfect answer here, but something has to be done.

I love you, America, and a lot of other folks do. We need you to be better.